The union that represents journalists and media workers at McClatchy announced that more than 90 unionized employees were laid off across 17 of its newspapers in September 2026. The cuts affect staff members who were covered by the union’s collective bargaining agreement.
The announcement was made by the union on behalf of the McClatchy newspapers, indicating that the layoffs span a wide range of titles within the company’s portfolio. While the precise composition of the affected workforce was not detailed, the figure exceeds 90 workers, all of whom were employed under the union’s representation.
These reductions come amid a broader crisis facing news outlets in California, where many publishers are grappling with financial challenges that threaten newsroom staffing levels. Industry observers have noted that the state’s news ecosystem has been under pressure for several years, with declining advertising revenue and shifting readership patterns contributing to the strain.
The layoffs at McClatchy illustrate how the financial difficulties confronting newspaper publishers are translating into workforce reductions. By cutting more than 90 positions, the company joins other media organizations in California that have recently announced similar moves to address budget shortfalls.
Union officials emphasized that the cuts are part of a larger trend affecting the state’s news industry, rather than isolated to a single publication. They underscored the need for sustainable business models to preserve journalism jobs, though no specific solutions were offered in the statement.
The impact of the layoffs will be felt across the 17 publications involved, as each will adjust to a reduced staff complement. The union’s disclosure adds to the mounting evidence of financial strain within California’s newspaper sector, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining robust news operations in a changing media landscape.